I believe the is a Dragon Boat Race coming up near Nakhon Phanom but after an extensive Google search it cannot be confirmed.
Does anyone have any information on this event?

Re: Dragon boats. We have boat racing here in Non Wai, near Nong Wor Sor every October, normally coinciding with Opansar, end of Buddhist Lent.Its held on the large lake alongside the temple.They are not ornate dragon boats but Thai style long boats with about 12 rowers each. What it lacks in glitz is amply made up for in effort and endeavour. As the local police normally enter a team, it may be the only chance you get to see 12 coppers take a soaking.
It is a standard Thai day out, food, food everywhere and familys enjoying themselves, young and old.I will post the date as soon as I know it, also brief directions from Udon.

Just been told it's being held at Bueng Kan - 100km East of Nong Khai? Still have had no date confirmation?

They also have the races in Tha Bo and Si Chang Mai, no idea of the dates though, sorry

According to Ray on Thai visa the ones in Si Chaing Rai have already happened.

hve boat races in nakhon phanon and sakhon nakhon are different times of year, not sure though. well advertised when having.

Had confimation that it is on. There was a segment on local TV about it. Not as big event as others but we will have a look anyway.

We went up with some friends on Saturday. A great day out so decided to stay overnight to attend again on Sunday, accomodation was a bit of a problem, we finished up about 10km out of town in a resort - 300Baht, A/C. TV etc - not bad.
BUT - Spot the farang, accept for 3 locals we stumbled onto in a bar we were the only 'tourists'. --- Quite a big event without any promotion, strange.

The long boat racing in Non wai I previously mentioned, wil take place the weekend 15/16th of October. We have a guest house in the village, 200bht. If you come and you don't have any special allegiance, please cheer for Team Valentine, the ones in pink shirts, we're going to win anyway.I need the cup back to donate again next year. Or I'll have to buy a new one .

A link to TAT's Festivals & Events from their monthly newsletter
http://www.tatnews.org/events/oct2005.asp

A very handy link there thanks albeach and good luck with the race val, I wont be there but i'll do my best to help out with the cheering

The local guys are out practising every night so a race is coming up soon.

Vientiane/Sri Chiang Mai boat races for 2006 is around Friday October 6th-Sunday October 8th with the greater bulk of the racing and crowds over in Vientiane.. It's a national holiday for the Lao "The Boat Racing Festival".. Huge fair along the River road in downtown Vientiane that is reminiscent of Thailand 25-30 years ago.. All, ALL, the country folk come to town for the festival..

Same time frame at many other locations to include Nong Han Khumpawapi 40 km south of Udorn (same place as Khumpawapi Monkey Village).

Thai/Lao national Boat races same time frame near the Thai/Lao Friendship bridge although two years ago the Lao lost a boatload of female rowers who got flipped over and drowned in the eddies by the bridge.

Boats range from the 12 rowers outlined above to behemoth boats with 30-40 rowers up in Vientiane..

Just a heads up for anyone interested in the long boat racing. The annual competition takes place here in Nong Wai, (left off main rd at Nong Wor So) next week, 20th and 21st October.I'll be in the beer tent most of the day if your coming.

Sorry Trubrit, will be in BKK for a family function....have a couple of tigers for me while you are there.

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